Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 August, 2014 - El Gringo, Arica - Conditions at the 2014 ASP 3-Star Maui and Sons Arica World Star Tour began with waves in the 4-6 foot range (2-3 metres) and onshore winds on Thursday. Heats 9-16 were completed in Round 1 and provided several larger sets throughout the day, announcing a perfect forecast for the remaining period of the contest. Guillermo Satt (CHL) was off to a great start and is looking to repeat his victory in 2012 of the Maui and Sons Arica World Star Tour event.

"Even with the strong onshore winds, I was able to get a barrel that got me into the next round," stated Guillermo Satt. "Conditions aren’t that special, but the forecast for tomorrow is looking great." Defending his title from 2013, Alvaro Malpartida (PER) expects another stellar performance as he took the victory in Heat 14 of Round 1 alongside Pablo Paulino (BRA) over Martin Jeri (PER) and Adrian Garcia (PER) respectively.

"Unfortunately, my heat started right when conditions got worse. The wind picked up and I had to change my strategy and started to looking for more turns instead of trying to get tubed," stated Alvaro Malpartida. "I’ve got some great boards and I feel good about holding on to my title. I hope tomorrow (Friday) will give everybody a chance to show off their stuff."

Yago Dora (BRA), is part of the newest generation of Brazilian aerialists, but was unable to find a scoring opportunity in Heat 16 of Round 1 and was defeated by Juan Arca (ARG) and Sebastian Correa (PER) on a last-second wave to qualify into Round 2.

Unfavorable swell direction and onshore winds kept the waves and El Gringo to sporadic thrills on Thursday, but a new swell is expected for tomorrow and is promising to be an epic day at the 2014 ASP 3-Star Maui and Sons Arica World Star Tour. A call is set for 7am (local time) on Friday to initiate Round 2 with Gabriel Villaran (PER), Lucas Chianca (BRA), Marco Giorgi (URY) and Edward Portocarrero (CHL) starting off the day’s competition.